Method and system for performing microabrasion

Abstract

A method and system for performing abrasion on a surface, such as on the skin of a patient, is disclosed. The dermabrasion apparatus includes apparatus for delivering and retrieving material to and from a selected site to be abraded, a delivery and retrieval hand piece, an abrasive handling device, and a waste retrieval holding device. The hand piece is coupled to the abrasive handling device as well as the waste retrieval holding device, which is further coupled to the delivery and retrieval apparatus. The abrasive handling device further includes an abrasive supply device, a receiving channel, a feeding chamber, and a delivery channel. The abrasive supply device typically is a canister fitted with a funnel-shaped spout that is inverted into the receiving channel. The receiving channel feeds abrasive to the feeding chamber. The delivery and retrieval apparatus, typically a vacuum source that generates a pneumatic air supply within the abrasion apparatus, causes the abrasive within the feeding chamber to loft in an arc such that it reaches the delivery channel. The delivery channel then leads to the hand piece, which is utilized to apply the abrasive to the surface and then retrieve the waste debris during the procedure.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An abrasive handling device for use in an abrasion apparatus, comprising: 
       a feeding chamber that has generally funnel-shaped portion that receives an abrasive;  
       a receiving channel that limits the amount of abrasive supplied to the feeding chamber;  
       an intake aperture, connected to a base of the feeding chamber to receive means for displacing the abrasive in a substantially vertical direction; and  
       a delivery channel, placed above the feeding chamber to receive the displaced abrasive.  
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1  further comprising a generally funnel-shaped supply device, positioned above the feeding chamber and connected to the receiving channel. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 2  further comprising an abrading material holding container removably fitted with a funnel that fits within the supply device. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1  wherein the device is pneumatically driven. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 1  wherein the funnel-shape of the lofting chamber forms an arc ranging approximately 40 degrees to 90 degrees. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 1  wherein the funnel-shape of the feeding chamber forms an arc of generally 60 degrees. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 4  further comprising an airflow regulator, coupled to the delivery channel, to regulate the flow abrasive during operation. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 1  wherein the delivery channel comprises an inverted funnel-shaped opening within the feeding chamber. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 1  further comprising a transition chamber disposed between the supply device and the feeding chamber. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving channel extends within the feeding chamber a sufficient distance to control the amount of abrasive filling the feeding chamber. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a hand piece coupled to the abrasive handling device; and  
       a waste retrieval holding device, coupled to the hand piece, to collect and store the abrasive and waste debris after treatment.  
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the waste retrieval holding device comprises a filter. 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the filter comprises a fabric having pores sufficiently small to prevent the abrasive and collected waste from passing therethrough. 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the filter is removable. 
     
     
       15. The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the waste retrieval holding device further comprises: 
       a waste can receiver having an intake port and a return port; and  
       a waste canister removably coupled to the waste can receiver at an open end of the waste canister.  
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the hand piece comprises a supply aperture and a return aperture. 
     
     
       17. The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the hand piece comprises a removable tip that has an aperture that contacts the surface to be abraded. 
     
     
       18. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the supply device utilizes gravity to feed the abrasive to the feeding chamber. 
     
     
       19. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein a motor coupled to the abrasive handling device pneumatically drives the device. 
     
     
       20. The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the motor generates a vacuum for drawing the abrasive through the device. 
     
     
       21. The abrasive handling device according to  claim 20 , further comprising: 
       a delivery and retrieval hand piece coupled to the abrasive handing device;  
       a waste debris receiving device, coupled to the hand piece, to collect and store waste debris and the dermabrasive after treatment; and  
       a massage device coupled to and operable by the motor, comprising:  
       a head having a concave inner wall and a rim, the concave wall defining an orifice communicating with a vacuum source and the rim having a substantially flat contact surface, the concave wall and rim defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity, the cavity being substantially semi-spherical;  
       a post extending from the concave inner wall toward the opening, the post being slightly recessed within the cavity and having a substantially flat contact surface, the post being substantially vertically cylindrical; and  
       a handle defining an internal conduit, the conduit having a first open end and a second open end, the conduit communicating with the orifice at the first open end and communicating with the vacuum source at the second open end.